Notice of Intent to Sole Source CAES Fall acaricide ticks and pollinators

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order/contract to CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTAL STATION, for support research comparing synthetic acaricides applied as sprays versus granules and will assess their impacts on host-seeking ticks and non-target arthropods, including pollinators in the fall and the following spring.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of this project based on its direct involvement in, and successful completion of, two prior CDC-funded contracts, which evaluated fall and spring acaricide applications to suppress host-seeking Ixodes scapularis ticks and concluded in 2022; and  a follow-up evaluating fall applications of synthetic and natural acaricides, ending 7/31/2026. The proposed work is a logical continuation of these efforts, expanding the evaluation of synthetic acaricides by comparing spray versus granular applications and by assessing potential impacts on beneficial insect pollinators in addition to tick suppression. CAES can conduct this follow-up work in the same geographical area and environment as the previous studies. Maintaining the same study area, acaricide application methods, and tick sampling methodology is essential to ensure that the new results can be accurately interpreted alongside prior findings. Changing any of these factors would make the follow-up work incomparable due to the substantial influence of local environmental conditions on tick populations and acaricide performance. Because CAES is the only entity capable of maintaining full continuity in location, methodology, and study design, they are the only provider that can generate scientifically interpretable follow-up results. Another bidder from the original, competitive bid contract was considered. However, due to their geographic distance from the study area and the methodology proposed by that bidder in the previous bid, their team would not be able to conduct follow-up work in a way that is scientifically comparable to or interpretable alongside the work already completed by CAES.

This contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of Revolutionary FAR Overhaul 6.103-1 (SAP) ; under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901, as implemented in FAR subpart 12.102 ; The North American Industry Classification System code for this procurement is 541715 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within 15 days of the issuance of this notice shall be considered by the government.  A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government.  Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  Any quotation/response should be emailed to contract specialist at email qsx8@cdc.gov by June 26, 2026 before 5pm EST.